Thumbnail and Research Manager

CatFace is a YouTube entertainment company, home to a family of channels with over 25 million combined subscribers and an average of 300 million views per month. Our goal is to entertain our audience with fun, light-hearted narratives and entertaining content for general audiences. A vital component of our business is creating multiple unique stories every week in order to keep our audience engaged.

Visit our Youtube Channels:

https://www.youtube.com/@Aphmau

https://www.youtube.com/@AphmauShuki

Visit our websites:

www.aphmeow.com

www.catface.com

About the Job

We’re seeking a Thumbnail and Research Manager to lead our talented and growing team of thumbnail artists and idea Gen Specialists. This role combines creative leadership with hands-on design responsibilities. You’ll oversee a team that produces high-performing YouTube thumbnails, generates compelling video ideas, and leverages statistics to guide creative strategy.

The ideal candidate has a strong eye for visual storytelling, composition, and playful, character-driven aesthetics, while also being data-savvy and curious about what drives performance. A strong eye for visual storytelling, chibi/cute styles, and composition is essential.

In this role, you’ll help shape visual concepts, guide thumbnail and idea generation strategy across multiple channels, analyze performance data, and ensure consistent quality while meeting fast-paced deadlines.

To apply, please submit a resume and portfolio. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in a portfolio review and a management/design exercise.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and mentor a team of thumbnail artists and idea generation specialists offering feedback and support
• Lead Idea Gen sessions, driving creative brainstorming and shaping compelling video concepts
• Oversee statistics and performance tracking, analyzing thumbnail and video metrics to inform strategy
• Collaborate with the Director of Production, Lead Artist, editors, and writers to plan thumbnail concepts that match the tone and story of each video
• Contribute directly to the creation of thumbnails (illustration, compositing, layout) as needed
• Oversee and improve thumbnail and idea workflows, quality control, and delivery schedules
• Stay current on YouTube design trends, A/B testing practices, and data insights to iterate on what makes a thumbnail clickable
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align creative strategy with content goals
• Help maintain a consistent visual style across channels while innovating for performance

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in digital illustration, graphic design, thumbnail creation, or creative research
• 1+ years of experience in a leadership or managerial role within a creative team
• Advanced Photoshop skills and a strong portfolio of high-performing thumbnails
• Familiarity with performance statistics, A/B testing, or data-driven creative decisions
• Experience with cute/chibi art styles and video game aesthetics (Minecraft, Roblox)
• Strong understanding of color theory, lighting, layout, and visual storytelling
• Awareness of YouTube culture and what drives views and engagement
• Highly organized, able to manage timelines, reviews, and revisions efficiently
• Must be based in the Austin, TX area or willing to relocate (relocation assistance available)

Bonus Points

• Experience with 3D modeling or painting over 3D assets
• Familiarity with Maya, Blender, or Blockbench for character posing and modeling
• Interest in animation pipelines and collaborative storytelling
• Experience in thumbnail A/B testing and performance analysis

What We Offer

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision health benefits
• 401(k) contribution
• Flexible time off
• Lunch, snacks and drinks provided in the office
• Pets in the office once a month
• Onsite fitness center
• Learning Stipend
• Relocation assistance for those coming from outside Austin.